Unemployment rate falls to near 5-year low; state adds 3,800 jobs

posted 12:16 AM 05/16
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The Washington state economy continues to show improvement after the unemployment rate fell to a nearly five-year low of 7 percent in April from 7.3 percent in March, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Perhaps even better news is that actual job growth is lowering the state’s jobless rate, rather than falling because discouraged workers have stopped looking for work, regional economist Scott Bailey said Wednesday.

“This is a pure, positive trend that we’re looking at right now,” Bailey said.

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Washington state unemployment rate falls to 7 percent

posted 11:31 AM 05/15

Washington state unemployment fell to a nearly five-year low in April, dropping to 7 percent last month from 7.3 percent in March, according to the state Employment Security Department.

Port commissioners Davis, McGregor seek re-election in November

posted 09:55 AM 05/15

Port of Olympia commissioners Jeff Davis and Bill McGregor have filed to defend their commission seats this fall, and Davis is already receiving plenty of financial support from labor groups.

Shipping news: White Coral will load logs

posted 09:34 AM 05/14

The White Coral, which will load about 5.8 million board feet of Weyerhaeuser logs through next Monday, is expected to arrive at the Port of Olympia's marine terminal today.

Tumwater Veterinary Hospital sets date for open house

posted 11:30 AM 05/13

Tumwater Veterinary Hospital is set to have an open house to show off its new location on Littlerock Road.

A fairy tale comes true for business owner

posted 01:14 PM 05/12

Remember the Disney character Tinker Bell, the fairy that fluttered about Peter Pan? Now, imagine a place filled with fairies and fairy-themed products, demanded by customers and shipped throughout the country and the world.

Port awards money to four Thurston County communities

posted 04:48 PM 05/11

The town and cities of Bucoda, Tenino, Rainier and Yelm have each received $10,000 from the Port of Olympia as part of its small cities economic development program.

Local aerospace company celebrates milestone

posted 01:54 AM 05/10

A jet plane crash-landed in Tumwater Thursday afternoon, but no one was hurt and those aboard later enjoyed a barbecue lunch to reflect on the experience.

Thurston EDC, Tenino chamber team to serve businesses

posted 09:43 AM 05/09

The Thurston Economic Development Council and the Tenino Area Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to survey Tenino-area businesses in May and June. The surveys will determine how the two organizations can better serve those businesses.

Thurston bankruptcy filings inch higher in first quarter

posted 04:08 PM 05/08

Thurston County bankruptcy filings rose 2 percent in the first quarter, a sign that the upward trajectory in credit defaults hasn't eased just yet even though the economy continues to show signs of improvement.